MP Kostis Efstathiou participated today in a teleconference of the Chairs of the European Affairs Committees of the Parliaments of the EU Member States with the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ms Ylva Johansson, on the prevention and fight against corruption.
In his intervention during the discussion, Mr. Efstathiou said that the rule of law is undoubtedly a cornerstone of democratic states, but also a component for the functioning and development of the European construction.
Today, Mr Efstathiou pointed out, serious questions are being raised, both at European and national level, regarding respect for the rule of law and the independence of institutions. In order to ensure legal certainty and the functioning of states with respect for the rule of law, Mr Efstathiou stressed, the creation of appropriate mechanisms and independent control institutions, i.e. an effective system of checks and balances to prevent corruption, is urgently needed.
Referring to Cyprus, Mr Efstathiou noted the establishment of the Independent Anti-Corruption Authority as a positive step in the effort to prevent and fight corruption. Mr Efstathiou pointed out that a prerequisite for the existence of the rule of law is the application of laws in a transparent and functional manner and recommended the establishment of the necessary mechanisms to monitor the application of the law at the level of the European Union.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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